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Kwambox: Rwanda has a problem with how women dress
22nd September, 2026 01:44 AM
Former radio presenter Kwambox has said Rwanda has a problem with how women dress, as she was reacting to a video that showed a girl being arrested because of her outfit.
Kwambox questioned the arrest and said the incident had led to different reactions. She explained that some people supported women choosing what to wear, while others argued that dressing should follow cultural values.
“Rwanda has a problem with how women dress. There is a video of a girl being arrested because of how she is dressed, like what?” Kwambox said on Monday, September 21, 2026, while on her podcast.
Kwambox said some people believe women should have the freedom to wear what they want. She said she agrees with that view, while noting that others have raised concerns about culture and the influence of Western ways of dressing.
“There are people in one ..saying, yeah, it is right for women to wear what they want to wear, which I 100% concur,” Kwambox said.
Past arrests over women’s dressing
Kwambox said the recent incident was not the first time a woman in Rwanda had been arrested over her dressing. She referred to a similar incident in 2022, when a girl was arrested after authorities said her outfit was indecent.
“So is this the first time Rwanda has done this? No. There is also 2022. A girl was arrested because they said her outfit was indecent,” Kwambox said.
Kwambox questioned the role of authorities in deciding what people should wear and asked what the law considers decent.
“Do you know she was locked up? Well, she ended up released, but who is policing people’s outfits?” Kwambox said.
The discussion comes amid a cultural debate in Kigali as law enforcement strictly enforces public decency laws at high-profile entertainment events and in the streets. The enforcement has focused attention on how women dress in public spaces.
The crackdown that Kwambox is talking about took place during a major concert featuring Tanzanian Afrobeats star Diamond Platnumz at the beginning of September. Young women were reportedly turned away at event entrances or arrested over outfits authorities considered “shameful” or “indecent.”
Kwambox also questioned the standards being used to determine whether an outfit is acceptable. She said the issue raises questions about the law, public standards and who is responsible for enforcing them.
“What does the law say about it? What is decent? Note that it is men doing these arrests,” Kwambox said.
Kwambox said the issue has created different views around women’s clothing, with some supporting personal choice while others point to culture. She questioned how such differences should be handled when authorities enforce public decency laws.
